Today’s class in the Right Thinking series was titled “Changing Thoughts That Are Hateful”.
Approaching this topic one may assume they know all they need to know on the topic of hate. However, after listening to this class with the residents, Pastor Viars has helped us all re-evaluate any evidences of hate in our lives.
Although most of us oppose hate, this lesson helps us greatly understand the true ramifications of hate. 1 John 2:8-11 and 3:11-17 make it clear that a person who hates walks in darkness and abides in death.
We may be tempted to think this is not an area of struggle for us until we examine characteristics of hate. One example is having an indifference to the example we set for others. Pastor Viars asked, “Are you concerned about how your lifestyle affects those around them?”
This led to a great discussion about how our influence on others in our lives can have a very negative influence on them – and that is an example of hate.
–submitted by Heather Starkweather, Social Worker
